April 9 By-election in Tripura: A Competitive Battle
Synopsis
On April 9, a dynamic by-election in the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency of Tripura will see six candidates, including key players from the BJP and Congress, competing for the seat following the passing of the former MLA.
Key Takeaways
Dharmanagar Assembly by-election set for April 9.
Six candidates, including those from major parties, are contesting.
Key contenders include Jahar Chakraborti (BJP), Chayan Bhattacharjee (Congress), and Amitabha Datta (CPI (M)).
Vote counting will occur on May 4.
46,142 voters eligible to participate.
Agartala, April 7 (NationPress) A vibrant and competitive election is anticipated for the by-election on April 9, 2023, in the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency located in the North Tripura district, which borders Assam and Mizoram.
In total, six candidates will vie for the seat, featuring representatives from major political parties, smaller groups, and one independent candidate, creating a dynamic electoral scenario.
The main contenders are Jahar Chakraborti from the ruling BJP, Chayan Bhattacharjee from the Congress, and Amitabha Datta of the CPI (M)-led Left Front. Datta is a former MLA associated with the Left party.
Jahar Chakraborti, aged 59, currently holds the position of North Tripura district Vice-President for the BJP.
Additionally, candidates from the Amra Bangalee party, SUCI, and an independent candidate are also part of the electoral race.
Notably, the Left Front and the Congress, which had formed a seat-sharing agreement during the 2023 Tripura Assembly elections to oppose the BJP collectively, will contest separately in this bypoll, heightening the electoral competition.
Chayan Bhattacharjee previously ran for the Dharmanagar seat in 2023 but was defeated by BJP’s Biswa Bandhu Sen by a narrow margin of 956 votes.
This by-election has been called due to the passing of the sitting MLA and Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen, who died on December 26, 2025, in a private hospital in Bengaluru after a long illness. He was 72 years old.
Sen had served four terms in the Tripura Assembly—twice as a Congress candidate in 2008 and 2013, and later in 2018 and 2023 as a BJP nominee from the same constituency.
There are 46,142 eligible voters in the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency, including 23,758 women.
Vote counting is scheduled for May 4.
The month-long campaigning period for this by-election concluded on Tuesday afternoon.
Key figures from various parties, including Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, state BJP President Rajib Bhattacharjee, former Chief Minister and veteran Left leader Manik Sarkar, along with CPI (M) state Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury, and Congress Working Committee member and former minister Sudip Roy Barman, as well as state party President Asish Kumar Saha, have been actively campaigning for their respective parties.
Point of View
The April 9 by-election in Dharmanagar symbolises a critical moment for local governance and party dynamics. With prominent candidates from multiple parties, this election could redefine the region's political alliances and voter sentiment.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a by-election in Dharmanagar?
The by-election is being held due to the passing of the sitting MLA and Speaker, Biswa Bandhu Sen, who died on December 26, 2025.
How many candidates are contesting in the by-election?
A total of six candidates are contesting for the Dharmanagar Assembly seat.
When is the vote counting scheduled?
Vote counting for the by-election is scheduled for May 4.
Who are the main political parties involved?
The main parties involved are the BJP, Congress, and CPI (M)-led Left Front, along with candidates from smaller parties and an independent candidate.
What is the total number of eligible voters?
There are 46,142 eligible voters in the Dharmanagar Assembly constituency.
